Goidhoo Agro-Processing Facility to Begin Operations Later This Year

The Minister of Agriculture and Animal Welfare, Dr Mariyam Mariya, has announced that a specialised agricultural value-addition facility in Goidhoo, Shaviyani Atoll, is expected to commence operations later this year.

The announcement was made during a press briefing at the President’s Office, where the Minister outlined the government’s broader strategy to strengthen the agricultural sector. The administration is prioritising food security, sustainable farming and animal welfare, with a focus on developing a modern agricultural system capable of withstanding the impacts of climate change.

The Goidhoo facility is being established under a regional initiative titled “Livelihood Enhancement of Small Farmers in SAARC Region through Small Agro-Business Focusing on Value Chain Development”. The project is being implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Welfare in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programmeand is funded by the Government of Japan.

Construction of the facility has been completed and procurement of specialised machinery is currently under way. Production of value-added agricultural products is scheduled to begin once the installation of equipment is finalised.

According to the Ministry, the centre will process and package locally grown produce, enabling Maldivian agricultural goods to compete more effectively in international markets. The project is also expected to help secure fairer prices for farmers in Goidhoo and create additional income opportunities for the island’s agricultural community.

Goidhoo is home to the country’s first farmers certified under the Maldives Good Agricultural Practices scheme, a national standard aimed at strengthening food security, promoting sustainable farming practices and ensuring that locally produced food meets environmental and safety benchmarks.